上世紀五六十年代，即使歐美電視也未普及，更沒有互聯(lián)網(wǎng)，當時主要傳媒是報紙和雜志。那時幾乎所有的報刊都有一種欄目，就是請專欄作家為讀者答疑解惑。中國這類欄目大多會叫“名家答疑” 或 “知心大姐”之類，讀者把生活、工作、婚戀等方面遇到的困惑，寫信給編輯部，這些信經(jīng)專欄作家篩選，寫出回復，登在報紙上，這樣廣大讀者都可從中借鑒受益。葛優(yōu)的成名電視劇“編輯部的故事”，講的是一本叫“人間指南”的雜志，就是此類。
這類欄目英語叫 advice column，寫這個欄目的叫 advice columnist 或 advice writer.
美國有一對雙胞胎姐妹, 從上世紀五十年代開始先后做 advice columnist，姐妹倆的筆名叫“Ann Landers” 和 “Dear Abby” , 她們的專欄先后發(fā)表和轉(zhuǎn)載在全世界1400多家報紙，每天讀者一億多，前后跨越近50年， 曾幫助上千萬人擺脫困惑，全世界英文讀者幾乎無人不曉。紐約時報稱，這兩個專欄對美國文化的影響，無論怎么評價都不為過。姐妹倆寫回復的風格不同，各有特點，并形成競爭。
Dear Abby 的特點是簡短、幽默、堅定，并充滿同情。
我們來讀幾篇媒體篩選的 Dear Abby 的精彩回復：
?Dear Abby: My boyfriend is going to be 20 years old next month. I'd like to give him something nice for his birthday. What do you think he'd like? —Carol
Dear Carol: Never mind what he'd like, give him a tie.
Dear Abby: Our son married a girl when he was in the service. They were married in February and she had an 8 1/2-pound baby girl in August. She said the baby was premature. Can an 8 1/2-pound baby be this premature? —Wanting to Know
Dear Wanting: The baby was on time. The wedding was late. Forget it.
in the service? 服兵役
premature? 早產(chǎn)兒
讀者署名 “wanting to konw”,? 所以 Dear Abby 稱呼其 Dear Wanting.
Dear Abby: What's the difference between a wife and a mistress? —Bess
Dear Bess: Night and Day.
mistess 情人
Dear Abby: I've been going steady with this man for six years. We see each other every night. He says he loves me, and I know I love him, but he never mentions marriage. Do you think he's going out with me just for what he can get? —Gertie
Dear Gertie: I don't know. What's he getting?
go steady? 正式確定戀愛關(guān)系
Dear Abby: I joined the Navy to see the world. I've seen it. Now, how do I get out?
Dear Navy: Simple. Go to your superior officer and say these 2 words: I'm Gay.
the Navy?? 海軍?
to see the world?? 見世面，長見識，
superior officer?? 上級軍官
由于來信者沒有署名，Dear Abby 只好稱呼他 Dear Navy
(to be continued)
